5 Levels of Drywall Finish
Choosing the right drywall finish for your space is crucial to your project. It impacts your final appearance, application process, inspection methods, and overall cost. Grey County Drywall Collingwood is proud to offer 5 levels of drywall finish to suit any space or need. Each level builds on the previous one, offering more and more meticulous processes to ensure a flawless outcome. Here’s a quick overview of each to help you understand the differences.
Drywall finish levels range from basic fastening with no taping or finishing to a premium, perfectly smooth surface. Each level represents an investment in time and material, so choosing the best finish for your space is important to ensure a quality finished product and a great experience during the installation process.
The lowest drywall finish level is Level 0, where the gypsum panels are attached to the frame without any tape, finishing or accessories. This is an appropriate choice for temporary construction barriers or spaces where the final appearance is not a concern, such as service passageways, basements or garages.
Level 1 involves a minimum amount of finishing work, with tape embedded in joint compound and quickly wiped to leave a thin coat over the seams. This is the least expensive drywall finish and can be a good choice for some projects.
The next drywall finish level is Level 2. This includes the same process as Level 1, but with an additional coating of joint compound over all surfaces. This creates a completely flat surface, free of tool marks or ridges, which is critical for painting and the application of other wall coverings. This level is a good choice for a variety of surfaces, including light-textured paints and lightweight wall coverings.
A Level 3 finish includes one coating atop embedded tape and two coats on all accessories, fasteners and joints. This results in a completely smooth and uniform surface that’s suitable for flat and lightly-textured paints, as well as most light to medium wall coverings. However, this is not a good choice for high-sheen finishes such as enamel and semi-gloss. This type of sheen can highlight even the smallest surface defects under strong lighting conditions.
The final drywall finish level is Level 4. This incorporates all the steps of a Level 3 finish, but adds an additional skim coat over the entire surface of the gypsum board. This creates a totally smooth and uniform appearance, and effectively conceals all imperfections in the drywall surface. This is the preferred finish for most applications, particularly those with dark paint colors and/or significant natural light.
If you’re considering a Level 5 finish, make sure the drywall contractor you choose uses Buttboard, an innovative backer that eliminates butt joint bulges, and allows for a quicker, easier, more consistent, and higher-quality Level 5 finish. It also helps reduce the amount of time and materials required for achieving a Level 5 finish, saving you money in both installation costs and material waste. Learn more about Buttboard here.
